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Iraq Security Report November 19th 2003 GENERAL Diplomatic offices, media organizations and NGOs continue to be potential targets. As a general rule any building with a high concentration of Westerners is a potential target. Coalition forces have stepped up security on hazardous routes in and out of Baghdad; however the "bandits" and "terrorists" realize search operations are in progress and manage to change their areas of ambushes and attacks accordingly. Even though security measures are being implemented the capture or neutralization of those responsible for the ongoing threat is not having the desired results. The insurgents’ choice of targets seems to be edging towards a more personal target, i.e. a direct attack on Western agencies that are seen to be on the side of the Coalition. Suicide bombings, mortar attacks and vehicle bombings continue against Coalition forces and soft targets. Such attacks are expected to continue, therefore anyone operating in Iraq or deploying to Iraq in the future should plan carefully and anticipate further sophisticated attacks using improved tactics. The reconstruction program has been attacked throughout Iraq, resulting in construction companies as well as aid agencies withdrawing their staff from the country until security improves. US forces continue to attack groups of insurgents in the north of Iraq, using aircraft and heavy weaponry such as artillery. Warnings have come from one of the main opposing groups fighting Coalition forces "to leave Iraq in the next two weeks or accept the severe consequences involving attacks not seen to date". FLIGHTS/SAFETY Since the latest attacks on Coalition aircraft the air route in and out of Baghdad has been suspended on numerous occasions. Organizations are again using the main land routes in and out of Baghdad to rotate staff and replenish their offices. Due to the ongoing threat of surface to air missiles (SAMs) within and around the vicinity of Baghdad airport air activity has greatly reduced and will continue to be so until further notice. A civilian cargo/passenger plane was targeted by a SAM at Baghdad airport recently. Reports suggest that anti-Coalition groups plan to attack military and civilian aircraft. Civilian aircraft do not have anti-missile systems on board to warn of impending attacks. CONVOY – VEHICLE SECURITY Numerous reports are emerging that insurgents are stealing vehicles and painting them to look like those of NGOs and local police forces. This enables them to clear checkpoints and in most cases they are detonated by suicide bombers. Transport from all organizations has been targeted especially on the well-known routes where attacks continue in the form of IEDs and ambushes. A bus carrying numerous civilian passengers was ambushed near Kirkuk and several passengers were injured. Coalition forces are continually being fired upon from armed personnel in moving vehicles. A coalition convoy was heavily attacked near Mosul. Trends still indicate that "soft" convoys are the most common targets on most routes. A vehicle carrying translators working for Coalition forces was reported to have been deliberately targeted by insurgents. The translators’ vehicle eventually managed to outrun the attackers. The incidence of theft of vehicles belonging to organizations such as NGOs is increasing. This happened in the attack against the Red Cross when one of its ambulances was reported to have been stolen, loaded with explosives and used to ram the barriers resulting in 12 deaths and many injuries. Two sports utility vehicles carrying workers for an electric company were ambushed as they traveled unescorted through a high-risk area that was reported to be out of bounds to all Westerners due to the risk of attacks. Reports from local Iraqis warn that all Westerners must be fully vigilant at traffic lights and traffic jams as local children have been paid 50,000 Iraqi dinars to place magnetic bombs under stationary vehicles. A suicide truck bomb exploded in Fallujah killing four people and injuring seven others. IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) Incidents involving IEDs are reported on a daily basis. They are still being backed up by small arms fire and RPG attacks. There has been an increase in IED explosions primarily targeting military escorted vehicles and convoys. But civilians are continually being caught up in these attacks. IEDs are being found on all major routes in numerous forms and guises, and most have a back-up device to cause a secondary explosion attached. Do not be tempted to move or stop and pick up any items on these routes, even though they may seem very attractive. Any item can be used to disguise an IED. Several bombs and IEDs have been found throughout the region by Coalition forces following up on reports from people reporting suspicious devices. An IED attack was launched against the Al Bayra police station. An IED exploded south east of Basra. The device was filled with shrapnel and concealed in a culvert, limiting any collateral damage that would have been caused on detonation. An IED was found on the railway track. It was constructed of four anti-tank mines attached to a timer. Another IED, again found on a railway track, exploded causing a large amount of damage and a large crater. The team also found an unexploded SAM 50 meters from the explosion. GENERAL SECURITY Reports from the United States estimate there are around 50,000 insurgents trying to undermine the Coalition occupation. Explosions are occurring throughout Iraq, but mainly in Baghdad after dark. These explosions range from planted explosive devices to mortar fire. The physical threat to the oil industry continues in northern Iraq. Numerous oil workers continue to receive threats against themselves and their families. As reconstruction efforts increase and as many more foreign workers enter Iraq and become "soft targets" the threat level will continue and no doubt increase. The sophistication of all attacks has surprised Coalition forces as well as Westerners working in Iraq. Nothing should be taken for granted, as suicide and vehicle bombings have been used on a more frequent basis and with devastating effect. The increase in tactics and weaponry used by a variety of anti-Coalition groups, both former regime loyalists and extra-territorial elements, was demonstrated on the synchronized attacks in Baghdad. It was also visible in the obvious planning, rehearsal and construction of the weaponry being used in the similar attacks on hotels and buildings throughout the region. There have been several reports of media personnel receiving warnings of impending explosions. Instead of reporting the incidents they have moved to a proposed safe position to report/film the impending explosion. This is both unsafe and irresponsible as unreported explosive devices could result in fatalities and injuries. The media personnel involved on two such occasions were detained by security forces. It is worth mentioning that any mortar attacks will be quick and short and most of the rounds will not hit their intended target because all mortar tubes need to be "bedded in", i.e. situated in the ground by firing a couple of test mortars. Mortar attackers will not have time to do this unless firing from a hard base. If using a hard base this would cause serious disruptions to the flight of the mortar. This is worth remembering. Successful attacks with mortars have been down to luck so far in hitting their intended targets. Time and patience are needed in aiming at specific targets with mortars and time is not on the assailant’s side. No building or organization in Iraq is immune from attack, but what you can do is try and reduce and limit these threats by having safety procedures in place - unlike the UN compound and the report that followed saying that, "their security was sloppy, and they even removed some security measures that were in place". US troops are reported to have become more hostile towards the media. As mentioned in previous field reports from Iraq, the Coalition forces have a tough job to do. They are fighting an anti-terrorism and counter-insurgency war in which anyone could be the enemy. The best advice is: Remain calm and polite and adhere to Coalition rules and regulations. As with all forces deployed to a hostile region there will be a time when more experienced regular soldiers will be replaced by national guards and reservists and their experience may not be as good as that of the forces they are replacing. These guys will be on edge especially as the Coalition body count increases. Media people have been detained, equipment has been confiscated and journalists have suffered verbal and physical abuse while trying to report on recent events. A producer for a major network has said that journalists have been shot at several times by Coalition forces and members of his staff were threatened at least ten times in recent weeks with confiscation of their equipment. The Coalition forces state that they are issuing journalists with credentials and badges in order to assist in reducing these threats and attacks. Many local media personnel have been threatened and arrested at gunpoint in the aftermath of attacks. Some were reported to have been held for a couple of days. A report also states that a film crew tried to check a report of grenades being thrown at a Coalition patrol. When they approached the roadblock for permission to report the soldiers said it was OK to do so. As they proceeded further they encountered more soldiers who threw them to the ground and pointed their weapons at them. Once their IDs had been checked they were released. This shows a lack of communication between the soldiers on the ground, especially in confined areas. The report stated that the soldiers seemed very inexperienced and scared. This is an important factor when dealing with Coalition forces as attacks on them can happen at any time and in any form. A major European media organization that has staff in Iraq (as well as other dangerous locations) has decided that, by not conducting any safety training for its staff or using safety advisors, money can be saved and put into a "pot" for insurance funds in case of a claim by one of their staff following an incident. What a gamble, especially in Iraq! OTHER INCIDENTS Two separate ambushes on Coalition forces were reported near Mosul. Khadra police station came under attack in West Baghdad and a number of people were killed with school children amongst the victims. A Toyota Land Cruiser heavily laden with explosives detonated at another police station in Baghdad. Eighteen people were believed to have been killed with a further 27 injured. A Coalition base has been targeted by mortar fire near Al Samara on numerous occasions in the past couple of weeks. A patrol was attacked with RPGs and small arms fire near Tall Afar. An explosion occurred near a pipeline resulting in injury to Iraqi security personnel. Numerous Syrians have been captured. Syrians are reported to have been crossing the border to assist and train groups opposed to Coalition forces. Several aircraft have been fired upon by RPGs and small arms. Suspects traveling in a red Peugeot threw grenades over the wall of a security force base near Mosul. A small amount of TNT was planted under a couch in the basement of the Peshmerga Ministry Building, resulting in a small explosion. Large caches of weapons and a couple of missile launchers have been found around Baghdad and Bayji. Security bases were targeted by mortar fire in Baqubah, Taji and Tikrit. Drive-by shootings continue, with one of the latest taking place in Basra when one civilian was killed by two people on a motorbike. A Ukrainian patrol was ambushed near Suwayrah. Their armored personal carriers struck landmines, and on disembarking they were attacked by small arms fire. With the increase in aid and construction supplies entering Iraq, especially at the seaport, there has been an increase of theft from compounds. Attacks on police continue with the latest being on the police chief’s son near Al Ramadi. This ended with three people including the son sustaining life-threatening wounds. Smuggling is on the increase with the arrest of local Iraqis trying to smuggle fuel loaded on 30 donkeys. Numerous Coalition raids are taking place with one resulting in the arrest of an Iraqi found in the possession of RPGs, C4 explosives, hand grenades and one IED. HOTELS/BUILDINGS Reports continue to circulate around Baghdad that the hotels where Westerners are residing will come under attack either by vehicle bombs or RPGs. All such reports are to be taken seriously until proved otherwise. Security has been drastically improved throughout residences where Western media and aid agencies are staying and working. Centurion advisors with media companies have already implemented security measures which have drastically reduced any impending threat from vehicle bombs and suicide bombers. These include: Do not take any threat lightly. Security around the Sheraton and Palestine hotels complex continues on a daily basis. The complex is well protected from suicide car bombers due to the erection of high concrete security barriers. Escape ladders have been installed in some buildings where safety advisors and media personnel are staying. Medical stores have been set up for the sole use of the buildings and staff has received advanced awareness training in the first aid equipment and additional first aid matters. If occupying hotels in Iraq some considerations should be looked at. Reports are being passed around the locations about a possible attack involving many rockets. These would not be precision targeting as the attack would be fast and furious. If an attack of this nature occurs the best option is to get under strong protection and wait for the barrage to end. If you try to flee the area you will not know where the next rocket is likely to land. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Following are excerpts from a report sent by one of our safety advisors after an incident involving his two-vehicle convoy on the road to Baghdad from the Jordanian border on November 10th. "After approx. 3 1/2 hours travel, and approx. 100 km north of Baghdad on the main highway (Highway 10), we were in the vicinity of Ramadi. Ramadi is a well-known area to safety advisors, Coalition forces and Iraqi police. It is an area that hijackers and armed robbers operate from. We were traveling in the outside lane at a speed of 140 k/h. We passed a black BMW with three male occupants. They were all Iraqis. The BMW had no rear number plate. On passing, I took note of the occupants and am aware that these types of vehicles are used by bandits. All three occupants looked directly at me and the vehicle, and then our trailing escort vehicle. We maintained our speed and I kept my attention on the BMW via the side rear view mirror ... The BMW got closer and paid a lot of attention to our rear vehicle. Our rear vehicle then approached our nearside and made an indication to me that the vehicle was occupied by bandits. My rear vehicle then took lead position in the outside lane. The BMW then approached my inside until it was level with me. Again all three occupants looked directly at me. I told the driver to continue. We were now traveling at 170-180 k/h. The BMW then darted forward and got in between our two vehicles. The rear passenger and the front passenger both looked back at us and indicated to pull over. I told the driver to continue. We overtook the BMW on the inside lane so that our front nearside was alongside the rear offside of our front vehicle. The BMW remained on our inside but slightly to the rear. After approximately one minute the BMW pulled alongside again on our inside, the passenger window and the rear passenger windows were open. The front passenger was holding a 9mm pistol. The rear passenger was holding a 7.62 AK47. The front passenger signaled for us to pull over and then made as if to shoot at the front tire. No shot was fired, but the intent was obvious. I told our driver to pull over, slowly and carefully. The BMW pulled up in front of us at a distance of approx five meters. Our lead vehicle continued his journey. Once we were both on the hard shoulder, the front passenger got out and approached us, coming to my side of the vehicle and to my door. He was followed by the rear passenger. Both men were still armed (9mm pistol and AK47), they opened my door and the first words spoken by them was 'money'. I was physically touched and my 'day sack' (backpack) was taken from the floor-well and placed on to the hard shoulder of the highway. The glove compartment was opened and searched. My wallet was taken from my rear pocket and all my money was taken. They opened the rear passenger door behind me to approach the other advisor, again demanding money. The man carrying the 9mm pistol then fired one round into the car from just behind my right ear and into the roof of the car. The male who fired the shot then noticed my radio and Thuraya sat phone. He took the radio and went to fire a round into it, presumably to destroy it. He appeared to have a 'jam' on his weapon, lost his temper and threw the radio on to the hard shoulder with force, therefore breaking it. He decided that the Thuraya sat phone was of better use to him and 'pocketed' that item. After a very quick visual search of the vehicle, I was dragged from the car and made to stand on the hard shoulder with an AK47 held against my back. The 'main' man (definitely appeared to be the leader), started searching the vehicle again and paid particular attention to the other advisor and again was demanding money. On not finding any, I was pushed at gunpoint into the back of the BMW. The driver, who had been standing nearby as a 'lookout' and also armed with a 9mm pistol, got into the driver’s seat and started to drive away. The other two got into our GMC vehicle and started to follow. We drove along the hard shoulder for approximately one minute before coming off and on to a dirt track and then drove parallel with the main highway for a further two minutes. The vehicle I was in then turned into an opening which appeared to be some kind of field. It was hidden from the highway by way of sandbanks, shrubs and a few small trees. The BMW parked up and I was 'gestured' to get out of the vehicle. The GMC had just turned into the opening and parked up behind the BMW. All the bandits were now out of the vehicles, the other advisor and our Jordanian driver were kept inside the GMC. The leader came back to me and put the 9mm pistol against my neck just below my right ear, again demanding money. I tried to explain through mannerisms and small Arabic language, that I, and we, had no money. It was obvious by now that they were only interested in US dollars. Again my small bag was searched. I was again searched thoroughly and certain items were taken from me, my camera and gold chain. My wallet was searched yet again and no notice was taken of the credit cards. My bag contained a small personal notebook which had my passport in it. Again this was ignored. I was kept away from the vehicle and the male with AK47 kept guard over me. He appeared calm although he was fairly nervous. The leader, however, was not calm. He was nervous, shouting and constantly demanding money. His demeanor was that of someone panicking and therefore seemed to me, unstable and likely to do anything. They searched the vehicle until they reached the boot. At this point I was told to get back into the front passenger seat. They removed all the items from the boot of the vehicle; this was all the personal possessions belonging to the other advisor, a large hold all containing his clothes and a laptop bag. They also removed two flak jackets, and all these items were placed into the back of the BMW. Our driver was then told to drive away, and it appeared that specific directions and instructions were given to him. We reversed out of the field and made our way back onto the highway and continued our journey into Baghdad ... The whole incident lasted about 20 minutes. During that time, I have no doubt whatsoever that our lives were in danger. Their intent was clearly shown. At this moment in time I have the following thoughts and concerns that I believe need to be acted on. They are:
During our ordeal, I seriously believed that I was going to be shot on two occasions. This incident must be taken seriously. The lives of three individuals were at risk. Although both of us as advisors believed we endured the ordeal with professionalism and in a calming manner, we were, in my opinion, hijacked by three armed criminals, taken to a quiet and unseen location, not only to be searched at length, but to be killed. The manner in which these men carried out the 'stop' showed they were willing to carry it out in broad daylight, on a main highway and take the risks. They were seen to be desperate, and therefore, capable of doing anything." SUMMARY Attacks are expected to continue against Coalition forces and all Westerners, especially the intimidation of any person cooperating with Coalition forces, Iraqi police and the Iraqi Governing Council. There has been an increase of rocket attacks in Baghdad, which suggests that anti-Coalition groups are changing their tactics to adjust for the increase in security. Reports estimate that over a small period 240 people have been injured and 41 killed. This does not include any Coalition forces. A majority of attacks point towards a non-Iraqi group, although they would need some form of local direction or target selection. It has been said on numerous occasions that Iraqis would never be a suicide bomber; therefore Iraqi anti-Coalition fighters have not been credited with some of these attacks in recent weeks. This backs up the increasing evidence of Syrian fighters crossing the border to carry out attacks. Soft convoys will continue to be attacked with the use of IEDs and small arms fire. Overpass locations are increasingly being used for attacks using grenades, RPGs and small arms. All attacks have been well coordinated, and are more effective and more lethal. While there is no strong evidence of national or even regional coordination among the insurgents, small groups of the opposition may group together for limited attacks. Reconnaissance from these attackers prior to any attack will be very comprehensive, and over a long period of time. They will look for: The attacks are random and the preferred method is small arms, RPGs and command detonated IEDs, normally in the "daisy chain" method, which are either buried or hidden along main roads. Many of the explosions are either backed by secondary devices or are "come ons". Utmost care is needed if the explosion happens in or near your location. Threats and all warning of attacks against all Westerners should be taken seriously at all times. If you hear of a warning, pass it on to anyone you see, and tell them to do same. If more people are aware of the threat there may be fewer casualties and the attack may even be deterred. Do not become complacent – it will be noticed by the insurgents and will give them an ideal opportunity. Be vigilant and report anything suspicious including vehicles, personnel and suspect devices. Better to be safe than sorry. Many thanks to Centurion advisors in Iraq for providing information for this Field Report.
Centurion Risk Assessment Services Ltd
Copyright © 2007 - Military Reporters and Editors
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